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Benningfield Signs With WNBA’s Indiana Fever 8-27-04 8/27/2004 Former Vanderbilt forward Jenni Benningfield has been added to the roster of the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) Indiana Fever for the remainder of the 2004 campaign. Originally drafted out of college in the second round (22nd overall) by the Charlotte Sting, she was released on the final day of the preseason. She is the 11th Vanderbilt player to be affiliated with a women’s professional basketball organization (ABL or WNBA). “We’re so excited that Jenni has received this opportunity,” said Vanderbilt head coach Melanie Balcomb. “Good things happen to good people. She has worked really hard and deserves this WNBA experience. I know Jenni will make the most of her time with the Indiana Fever. We are all very proud of her.” Benningfield played in two preseason games for the Sting, including a game against the Fever. She posted three offensive rebounds and two points in four minutes of preseason action. A native of Louisville, Ky., the 6’3″ forward averaged 11.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in 136 games during her college career at Vanderbilt. She was an honorable mention All-America selection by the Associated Press following her junior season in 2003, averaging 16.5 ppg and 7.9 rpg while shooting 55.6 percent from the field. As a senior, she was the team’s leading scorer at 13.1 ppg and pulled down 5.9 rpg despite suffering a stress fracture in her right foot. She helped the Commodores garner two Southeastern Conference Tournament championships as a sophomore (2002) and a senior (2004). She received All-SEC second team honors in each of her final two seasons and was an SEC Academic Honor Roll selection in 2003. Benningfield’s addition boosts the Fever roster to 13 players, the maximum a team may carry under WNBA rules. She began practice with the team on Tuesday, and will join the team for its final seven regular season games beginning Sept. 1 at Washington. *The Indiana Fever contributed to this release. |
